Business Development Director for AI

Company Description

Version 1 has celebrated 30 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Our expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly changing Digital-First world we live in. We foster strong partnerships with leading technology giants including Anthropic, Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, and Databricks, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services. 

We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of Version 1 and what we do: 

• UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft, Outsystems & Oracle partner 

• Preferred Services Partner status in the Anthropic Partner Network 

• 4000+ strong, €400/£450m revenue business 

• 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK 

• Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW 

• Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW 

We’re a core values driven company, we hire people who share our values, and we reward those who display and foster them, it’s deeply embedded within our DNA. Invest in us and we’ll invest in you! 

Job Description

As a Business Development Director for AI, you sell AI outcomes, not just technology. You engage customers across UK and Ireland to find where AI can shift their business performance: revenue growth, cost reduction, faster decisions, improved customer experience. You shape and close AI opportunities using Version 1's AI platform, tools, and delivery methods, spanning agentic AI, GenAI, machine learning, and data-driven decision making. You build pipeline independently and through partners like AWS, Microsoft, and Anthropic, turning early AI curiosity into funded programmes. You hold credible C-suite conversations on AI strategy and ROI, translating technical capability into business value. You grow Version 1's AI brand and reputation in market, positioning us as the trusted partner for AI-led transformation.

Responsibilities:

• Originate, develop new business pipeline, and secure business across Version 1’s industry sectors (Private Sector, Public Sector and Financial Services) through a combination of new logo and new growth with existing customers.
• Whilst the primary focus will be on driving, shaping and closing AI opportunities, you will be an experienced Sales Lead across IT technology and services to be able to identify opportunities to bring the full suite of Version 1’s capability and offerings to our customers.
• Lead sales opportunities whether generated by yourself, originated within Version 1 and/or introduced by one of our strategic partners.
• Expand initial small AI adoption projects to bigger opportunities by bringing the full suite of Version 1 services to our customers to deliver their business outcomes.
• Lead the development and delivery of customer facing presentations, proposals and tender responses, working the wider Version 1 team including Account Managers, Commercial Operations, Delivery Management and our Partners.
• Developing trusted and impactful relationships with channel partners (including Anthropic, AWS, MSFT, Oracle, Databricks, Outsystems etc) to build effective collaborations, pipeline and new business.
• Communicating effectively the value of Version 1’s AI products and services via lead generation, participation in events, customer presentations and clearly written proposals.
• Robustly qualify all customer sales opportunities to ensure they are winnable with clearly defined win strategy and differentiation.
• Managing pipeline, financial forecasting, activity tracking to achieve financial KPIs (e.g., TCV, ACV, Profit)
• Establish long-term profitable relationships with senior-level key stakeholders in strategic and designated growth accounts.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with colleagues within Version 1 to develop sales and marketing strategies to promote Version 1’s AI product and services

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge and experience of shaping and selling AI solutions to both technology and business stakeholders in organisations up to CxO level.
• Hold or working towards relevant AI certifications. Demonstration of AI skills, market dynamics and keeping up to date with AI innovations and developments.
• Be knowledgeable of and able to converse with senior stakeholders on AI and how it delivers business outcomes.
• Demonstrate tenacity, drive and individual ambition to be successful in a sales environment.
• Demonstrate a consistent track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets in a highly competitive environment (winning against large global systems integrators and large off-shore consultancies)
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and explain compelling AI value propositions based on technology and related services to senior level stakeholders.
• Have experience of building and maintaining trusted customer relationships which can be leveraged into your new role with Version 1.
• Influencing skills: the ability to form and lead teams operating across a highly matrixed organisation, ensuring customer focused deliverables are delivered on time, coherently and with high quality.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage at all levels across an organisation internally and externally.
• Good commercial awareness and sound understanding of project and business dynamics.

Additional Information

Why join Version 1?

• Share in our Success: Excellent base salary plus bonus & an opportunity to join our new V1 Equity success scheme
• Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
• Professional Growth: We offer peer mentorship programs and career development opportunities to help you reach your full potential, giving you full access to modern learning platforms to grow your skills.
• Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements.
• Supportive Community: Join a team that values collaboration, respect, and mutual support.
• AI-Native Working: We provide the latest AI models and technologies, encouraging and coaching you to build digital co-workers to help you drive efficiencies and generate new sources of value your role.

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their well-being, professional growth, and financial stability.

We also offer a range of tech-related benefits, including an innovative Tech Scheme to help keep our team members up-to-date with the latest technology.

We prioritise the health and safety of our employees, providing private medical and life insurance coverage, as well as free eye tests and contributions towards glasses. Our team members can also stay ahead of the curve with incentivised certifications and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.

PLUS, many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.

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